I always thought a “no frills” approach (meaning no games, no prizes) to teaching piano would be the best and “purest” way to teach.  I thought that (now put your nose in the air and say this next phrase in a drippingly snobby tone) music itself would be fun enough and incentive enough for kids to learn piano.  (You can lower your nose and return to your normal tone).  You’re laughing at my ignorance.  Don’t worry.  It didn’t take long to realize that kids learn better and get more excited when there is FUN going on!  I haven’t yet determined how much fun is appropriate for stellar learning, but I am having FUN figuring it out!  Here is my incentive program I am using for this year.  So far, the kids are really excited and they are improving at a better rate than before.  Most of my students are beginners, so you will see that the requirements aren’t too terribly difficult. 

 

Incentive Program     

 

In order to motivate my students’ progression, I am beginning an incentive program that will reward practice, piano knowledge, song memorization, technique, and theory.  Each student will have a designated jar in my studio where they can place fuzzy craft pom-poms after sufficiently completing their requirements.  When the jar is full of pom-poms, they can cash it in for an ice cream sundae (with all the works) at their next lesson!  There are plenty of ways to earn pom-poms and each student has control over how fast their jars fill up depending on how hard they work!

 

PRACTICE:    My students are required to mark the days they have sufficiently practiced each song and warm-up throughout the week on their practice logs.  We will discuss during lessons how long they are required to practice each day. 

Required amount 4 days out of the week:                1 pom-pom

5 days out of the week                                               3 pom-poms

6 days out of the week                                               4 pom-poms

 v     Parents:  Please take note!  Students must have their practice sheet signed by you in order to receive their pom-poms!

 PIANO KNOWLEDGE:          I will give a short quiz at the last lesson of each month which covers piano terms we discuss during lessons.

70%                                                                            2 pom-poms

80%                                                                            3 pom-poms

90%                                                                            4 pom-poms

100%                                                                          5 pom-poms

 

 MEMORIZATION:                 If the students memorize a song we have learned in lessons that is FOUR lines or longer, they can receive 2 pom-poms.

 

TECHNIQUE:                         The students can receive 2 pom-poms for each 5 finger pattern with arpeggio and chord they complete to perfection.  More advanced students will earn these pom-poms with assigned scales.

 

THEORY:                               I will periodically give theory pages to be done as homework.  If these are completed (even if there are mistakes) students can earn 2 pom-poms.

 

 

 The kids have a lot of fun watching their jars fill up.  I think it’s a great visual motivator.  It helps them to realize they have control over their progress.